MovieChat Forums > The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939) Discussion > Lady Penelope

Lady Penelope

posted 18 years ago by icblue02
8 replies | jump to latest

Ok, so I understand that this is really historical fiction, and loosely based at that, but can anyone tell me some reason why, even in a movie, Lady Penelope was allowed to stay in the palace? I understand that her presence in the film is pivotal later, but she completely belittles and insults (albeit in a great scene!!) the queen within the first half hour of the film, and somehow manages to avoid the Tower.

Elizabeth was clearly threatened by her youth and beauty; does it seem odd to anyone else that nothing was done to Lady Gray? I mean, I have only seen this film twice now, but does anyone know why - aside from plot development - Lady Penelope would have been kept around?

[–] Doylenf 18 years ago

Given that Elizabeth had a fierce temper, it does seem odd that Lady Penelope Gray was never punished for being in on the conspiracy to hold back the letters from Essex to the Queen. But the film ends at the point where Essex is executed. We don't know what might have happened after that.

Perhaps Elizabeth then decides to rid herself of Penelope--although that final scene between Davis and de Havilland seems to suggest that Penelope has been forgiven. We'll never know.

[–] beckeis 18 years ago

I agree with you.
But Olivia was certainly at her most beautiful in this film. And when she and handsome Flynn are together on film, no matter the part, they simply sizzle.

[–] Doylenf 18 years ago

Agree about her beauty. I just wish her part had been built up a little more. Would have been more fireworks if she was allowed to have a few more scenes with either Bette or Errol. Quite a difference from the way she looked as Melanie (much plainer) the same year.

Same with Vincent Price. I think he was rather underused in a minor role. Donald Crisp, on the other hand, had a strong supporting role and was very impressive.

[–] abs_is_back 16 years ago

I think that Elizabeth's attitdue was that it would have been pretty hypocritcal to punish Penelope when Elizabeth too had made a fool of herself over Essex and done things not in her character.

Funny thing though, is that there was no such person as Penelope Gray. The Gray family present at Elizabeth's court were the two sister's of Lady Jane Grey (the 9 day's queen). Further back, Elizabeth's grandmother Elizabeth of York had two step-brothers, THomas and Richard Grey. Thomas Grey was the Marquis of Dorset and I think was still around during at last the beginning of Elizabeth's reign.

The Penelope who WAS a strong presence in Essex's life was his older sister. She married a Lord Rich. Then the poet Phillip Sidney (Robert Dudley's nephew), began writing love poems to her and they most likely had an affair. Finally Peneloped left her husband, which did not raise Elizabeth's respect for her. Elizabeth compared her to her and Essex's mother, Letitia Knollys Dudley (married to Robert Dudley), basically calling her a whore, and with some reason we must admit.

Essex was married to Douglas Walsingham, daughter of Elizabeth's minister Francis Walsingham. Essex got her pregnant and so married her. Believe it or not, Elizabeth did not throw a fit or throw anyone in the Tower - she gave Essex kudos for standing up to his responsibility and she liked Douglas.

But "Penelope Gray" is a fictional character.

And this piece is not nearly as good a Maxwell Anderson's "Anne of a Thousand Days."

[–] lastmidnite2 14 years ago

It just took some time for Bette to punish Olivia. 25 years later she crushed her to death with a flower pot.

[–] beckeis 14 years ago

Ahhh, hush hush sweet charlotte ....

[–] DodgersRule 12 years ago

Let's face it. Penelope Gray was written in just so Miss DeHavlin could be cast with her screen-lover Flynn (Captain Blood and Robin Hood) and to share scenes with her good friend, Bette Davis -- the two ladies always got along well.
Good enough reasons, I say.

[–] www1125 8 years ago

You gotta remember, this was early Vincent Price. He was certainly a well-liked actor at the time, but not a star yet.